An arrest has been made in connection with a Thursday morning arson fire that claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy in the East End section of Altoona, city police said.
Aaron Wilson Dishong, 62, of 112 Wilt Lane, Apt. 102, East Freedom, was arrested Thursday night and accused of homicide, arson and other offenses. He thought an ex-paramour was staying at the duplex when he set the fire at 111-113 S. Second St., police said.
Firefighters responded to the duplex about 6:30 a.m.
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Aaron Wilson Dishong
The boy died this morning at Altoona Regional.
His mother, Brandy Etchison, and his 2-year-old sister were flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. Brandy Etchison was listed in critical condition late Thursday afternoon, a UPMC spokeswoman said. No information was available on the daughter's condition.
Because of the homicide charge, Dishong was committed to Blair County Prison with no bail possible after his arraignment late Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Todd F. Kelly. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Central Court.
